My aunt - her 86th birthday

This is my aunt, the only relative from my mom's side of family.

We celebrated her 86th birthday at my house last weekend. We respect her a lot because she was the only relative who really cared about us when we were young. I always remember those days when my mom was stricken by cancer and our home turned topsy-turvy, it was then that my aunt travelled all the way from her house with her daughter, sister Soo, by bus to bring us food and to cook for us. Most importantly, she calmed us from the feeling of anxiety and fear of seeing my mom who was seriously ill. She showered us with loads of TLC when we needed it the most. Those feelings are still very fresh in my mind although it was 18 years back.

Then, 10 years later, we lost our dearest sister to cancer again. This time, aunt was again a pillar of strength to us. Her gentle words were ever comforting and taught us to let go. She taught us that life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward.

Today we are a bunch of happy brothers and sister who treasure the meaning of "happiness". We make time to have a weekly get-together, because it is best that we cherish people and make precious memories while they are still around.

Kiew Poh, we wish you many more birthdays ahead and great health always!

Is there anything you'd like to do to help? Visit Taman Sinar Harapan Kuala Kubu Bahru

One for the album

Beds are desperately needed in Taman Sinar Harapan

How are you, mama, this resident was greeting Mrs Chow, family of KC Yap, wife Timmy and mother in-law with their children at the background

Veon is giving out Pooh and Sponge Bob

This is the closest picture I can get looking inside the ward

Sheer happy faces

We spotted ants underneath the beds

Every efforts is worthwhile

Wards for the heavily mentally challenged residents

Villi is seen here giving out fish to Jasmine Chong. Looking on are brothers Yap Liang on the right and Yap Yang on the left who sponsored the fishes

Did you see the smile on their faces? Wonders of the Pooh and the fighting fish

Me, giving thank you note to all participants for their contributions

This is the famous artist (Mr Lam Kwai Fatt) using his toes to draw pictures and sell to the public to raise fund for the centre

Guess what, fighting fish...a sold out item in seconds

Toilet rolls are on the wanted list too...

My lovely relative made homebaked mooncake for them

Microwave could be useful to the kitchen

Hair cutter is even more useful, I thought

Blankets & diapers are the most wanted

Here comes the goodies

En. Azwan from Taman Sinar Harapan KKB giving us a welcome briefing

Taklimat ( Briefing time)

My fellow blogging friends, Ali and Lisa from MISC

Gifts that make all residents smile


Token of Appreciation sponsored by Villi and Vivian, my children

My right and left hands, Yap Yang and Amy, without them, this project will not be completed as smooth. Yap Yang even came down with mild fever and yet came along, bravo guys!

8 Cars pooled together

Young and old come together for a good cause

Group meet at the Rawang Toll

Came back from visiting Taman Sinar Harapan, Kuala Kubu Bahru, I was wrecked. Exhausted by the pass few days' hectic schedule of buying stuff and the recent bad weather fueled my adrenaline with constant prayers for a smooth day for today. Down pour came on our way home, I guess that was the best I could asked from God, the almighty. Guards down when we all arrived home safely.

Taman Sinar Harapan, word for word translation is = Garden of Sunshine and Hope.

I saw sunshine, and I saw pretty gardens. Flowers are blooming better than that in our yards at home. But I didn't see hope in most of the residents' eyes. 80% of them are bedridden and mildly mentally challenged except a few who are able to walk about at the centre's compound. Some of those sitting or even standing on the metal bed are tied with chain and padlocked on one of their ankles, as clothe lines or bandages are not effective to confine them. Their diapers are full with all you could imagine and ants were seen crawling around the beds.

Those residents who are more seriously mentally challenged are grouped in enclosed areas dividing between male and female. Their lives are so dependent on others including filling their stomach when hungry. Most of them are naked and sleeping on wet floors, some were seen with feces in between their legs. According to the Officer, En Azwan, their bodies do not respond to the living environment and therefore will not feel cold even in a cold night.

We were neither allowed to take any pictures nor video taping inside the dormitory (Asrama), I guess it is only fair. By now, you should have a grim picture in your mind. Let me ask you one question, feeling for those residents is obvious; But do you feel for the workers who are taking care of them?

My blog is to help create awareness to the world that there are unfortunate human beings born to this world with abnormality and living in solitude. They can't demand or ask for people to visit, because some couldn't speak, some couldn't see and some couldn't hear, but they can feel our touches and strokes and they do respond by way of giggles or laughters, you tell me, don't they have feelings? I wonder if they cry at night...

I AM ONLY ONE, BUT STILL I AM ONE. I CANNOT DO EVERYTHING, BUT STILL I CAN DO SOMETHING. AND BECAUSE I CANNOT DO EVERYTHING, I WILL NOT REFUSE TO DO SOMETHING THAT I CAN DO. ~ Helen Keller

Happiness comes from giving

To be able to give is a privilege, as the saying goes.

I am proud of you, fellow blog readers, friends and relatives. For, I have managed to achieve a total of RM6,000++ of donation from very kind hearted lots like you which I treasured most. This post is specially dedicated to YOU who made a difference!

Like I said in the previous post, given the present economy climate, not many are able or willing to fork out spare funds to help others. With little hope, we moved on with our plan to visit Taman Sinar Harapan KKB. Official approval letter from Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat was obtained within a week and the rest was my duty to raise the money and finding participants.

Emails sent out, phone calls followed. Rejections were expected, excuses aplenty. My heart was halfway sinking ... until people like you came along and picked me up again. "Nothing is impossible", I told myself, just preservere and continue doing the necessary and help will come from up there, this has always been my belief.

The following are the list of all who have made generous donations for this trip which I want the world to know, that there are people like you who continue to give despite the present financial adversity, you all made a difference! I will always remember you and I wish you and all at home health & happiness always.

Contributions received from:

1. Mr Yong Chee Kin and friends RM600.00
2. Mr Steven Kok and family RM300.00
3. Ms Karen Kok and Baby Bryan RM100.00
4. Mr Ngo Choong Lek and family RM300.00
5. Mr Yap Yin Hong and family RM300.00
6. Ms Kelly Pang and friends RM300.00
7. Mr K.C. Yap and family RM300.00
8. Mr Chan Yoong Houng and family RM600.00
9. Mrs Chow RM200.00
10. Mdm Oon Hwang RM300.00
11. Mdm Nancy Kerk and family RM200.00
12. Mr Voon Siew Wah & family RM300.00
13. Mr Tai Koon Loon and family RM500.00
14. Mdm Agnes Chan ( Fellow blogger) RM300.00
15. Mr Max Yong and family RM300.00
16. Mr Bor Ngee Wha and family RM200.00
17. En Ali Amran Alias and friends (Blog reader who I'm looking forward to meet) will be joining us and bringing essentials too.
18. Ms Vivian and Mr Villi Geow who sponsored the token of appreciation to all participants
19. Mr Yap Yang, Mr Yap Liang and Ms Amy Ling who sponsored live fish for 20 orphans.
20. Mr Koo Liong Eng who donated one homecare bed at RM1000.
21. Mr Jason Bong and family who donated one microwave oven.


(The list is constantly updated as donations are still coming in as of today, Saturday 11 October 2008.)

With the above funds, we will channel to buying essentials requested by Taman Sinar Harapan, i.e. adult diapers, milo, milk powder, rice, cooking oil, soap powder, floor detergent, blankets, toilet rolls.

Look out for my next pictorial post on our outing, this Sunday.

Eight Gifts That Don't Cost A Cent

1. THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But, you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no
planning your response. Just listen.

2. THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and
handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for
family and friends.

3. THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I
love to laugh with you."

4. THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief,
handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a
life.

5. THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job", or
"That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

6. THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7. THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be
sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

8. THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really
it's not that hard, to say, "Hello" or "Thank You."

Author Unknown

Help This little boy Fight Leukemia

Gabriel P Sullivan

This past year, Gabriel P Sullivan, just 3 1/2 years old was diagnosed with Leukemia.
Gabriel is the youngest of 6 children and is in the middle of a 42 month chemo treatment program. In a effort to help raise money for Gabriel's treatments, his family has set up a website at www.gabrielsgiftsgalor e.com with over 3000 gift items for sale.

There are novelties, gifts for men women and children. There are items for the entire household including games for children, tools for dad and gifts for mom and so much more. If you would like to meet Gabriel and follow his progress, you can do so at www.gabrielpsullivan.com.

This is his personal website where you will find photos, videos, treatment update and you can even leave him a personal message of encouragement. All proceeds from www.gabrielsgiftsgalore.com go to help Gabriel with his fight with Leukemia. Your help is greatly needed. If you would like to just make a tax-deductable donation to help Gabriel, you can do so at http://lhla.org/donation-gabriel.htm.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Tom Sullivan, (Gabriel's Dad) and Gabriel's entire family.

~ Received the above information through email from Pettel Davis <4ooot8ufhiwc@consultant.com>

I Believe....

I Believe....
That just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...
That you should always leave loved ones
with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I,
can do anything,
or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect
to kick you when you're down,
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry
I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do
with what types of experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them
and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...
That no matter how bad your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe....
That our background and circumstances
may have influenced who we are,
but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager
to find out a secret.
It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at
the exact same thing
and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed
in a matter of hours
by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think
you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you -
you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall
do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most
in life are taken from you too soon.

I Believe...
The happiest of people
don't necessarily have the best of everything;
they just make the most of everything.

God Bless –and may each of you have a good life.

You don't have to be rich to make a difference

I first came to know about this place, Taman Sinar Harapan Kuala Kubu Bahru from the pictures displayed at the gallery board in the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Society in Taman Megah, Petaling Jaya. The moment when I saw so many bedridden and diabled residents in one place, I told myself that I want to visit them, and bring more people along with me, if possible.

I was uncertain myself when making plans for this visit.

Firstly, this home is a distance away from Kuala Lumpur. People may worry about traveling expenses.

Secondly, most of the residents are mentally challenged and bedridden. Will people hesitate to visit them? (Some said they will feel depressed after the visit)

Thirdly, will people have spare funds to donate, considering the present economic situation.

Lastly, what if nobody respond to my invitation after getting approval from Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Negeri Selangor? (We need written permission from JKM for the visit.)

I pondered over these questions over a week. I guessed the shilly-shally in me got to the God. All of a sudden, a friend called to ask if I am organising a charity drive soon.
'My wish came true !', I told my husband. Let it be just three of us, we are going.

So, as of now, we have a total of 11 confirmed participants. More will confirm their status after the deadline 30th Sept 2008. And, there is one great and kind person by the name of En. Ali joining us with his friends after reading my first post.

Thank you all good Samaritans for your relentless support.
Taman Sinar Harapan KKB awaits you on 12 October,2008.

I know time is bad, but You made a difference!

To read the full details of our visit, kindly log-into here.

A smile from God

When everything else fails, take a look at this picture.

Stories that reflect US!

The Turtles

A turtle family decided to go on a picnic. The turtles, being naturally slow about things, took seven years to prepare for their outing. Finally the turtle family left home looking for a suitable place. During the second year of their journey they found a place ideal for them at last!

For about six months they cleaned the area, unpacked the picnic basket, and completed the arrangements. Then they discovered they had forgotten the salt. A picnic without salt would be a disaster, they all agreed. After a lengthy discussion, the youngest turtle was chosen to retrieve the salt from home. Although he was the fastest of the slow moving turtles, the little turtle whined, cried, and wobbled in his shell. He agreed to go on one condition: that no one would eat until he returned. The family consented and the little turtle left.

Three years passed and the little turtle had not returned. Five years...six years... then on the seventh year of his absence, the oldest turtle could no longer contain his hunger. He announced that he was going to eat and begun to unwrap a sandwich. At that point the little turtle suddenly popped out from behind a tree shouting, 'See! I knew you wouldn't wait. Now I am not going to go get the salt.'

[ Some of us waste our time waiting for people to live up to our expectations. We are so concerned about what others are doing that we don't do anything ourselves .]



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The Frogs

A farmer came into town and asked the owner of a restaurant if he could use a million frog legs. The restaurant owner was shocked and asked the man where he could get so many frog legs! The farmer replied, 'There is a pond near my house that is full of frogs - millions of them. They all croak all night long and they are about to make me crazy!' So the restaurant owner and the farmer made an agreement that the farmer would deliver frogs to the restaurant, five hundred at a time for the next several weeks.

The first week, the farmer returned to the restaurant looking rather sheepish, with two scrawny little frogs. The restaurant owner said, 'Well... where are all the frogs?' The farmer said, 'I was mistaken.. There were only these two frogs in the pond. But they sure were making a lot of noise!'

[ Next time you hear somebody criticizing or making fun of you, remember, it's probably just a couple of noisy frogs. Also remember that problems always seem bigger in the dark. Have you ever laid in your bed at night worrying about things which seem almost overwhelming like a million frogs croaking? Chances are pretty good that when the morning comes, and you take a closer look, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about .]


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The Pretty Lady

Once upon a time a big monk and a little monk were travelling together. They came to the bank of a river and found the bridge was damaged. They had to wade across the river. There was a pretty lady who was stuck at the damaged bridge and couldn't cross the river. The big monk offered to carry her across the river on his back. The lady accepted. The little monk was shocked by the move of the big monk. 'How can big brother carry a lady when we are supposed to avoid all intimacy with females?' thought the little monk. But he kept quiet. The big monk carried the lady across the river and the small monk followed unhappily. When they crossed the river, the big monk let the lady down and they parted ways with her.

All along the way for several miles, the little monk was very unhappy with the act of the big monk. He was making up all kinds of acussations about big monk in his head. This got him madder and madder. But he still kept quiet. And the big monk had no inclination to explain his situation. Finally, at a rest point many hours later, the little monk could not stand it any further, he burst out angrily at the big monk. 'How can you claim yourself a devout monk, when you seize the first opportunity to touch a female, especially when she is very pretty? All your teachings to me make you a big hypocrite The big monk looked surprised and said, 'I had put down the pretty lady at the river bank many hours ago, how come you are
still carrying her along?'

[ This very old Chinese Zen story reflects the thinking of many people today. We encounter many unpleasant things in our life, they irritate us and they make us angry. Sometimes, they cause us a lot of hurt, sometimes they cause us to be bitter or jealous .. But like the little monk, we are not willing to let them go away.We keep on carrying the baggage of the 'pretty lady' with us. We let them keep on coming back to hurt us, make us angry, make us bitter and cause us a lot of agony.Why? Simply because we are not willing to put down or let go of the baggage of the 'pretty lady'. We should let go of the pretty lady immediately after crossing the river, that is after the unpleasant event is over.This will immediately remove all our agonies.There is no need to be further hurt by the unpleasant event after it is over.]

Science is organized knowledge.
Wisdom is organized life.

Visit to Taman Sinar Harapan Kuala Kubu Bahru

Picture courtesy of sufian87.blogspot.com

Anyone keen to join me on an "Charity cum Educational" tour to visit Taman Sinar Harapan Kuala Kubu Bahru?

A home and school to 200 handicapped and mentally challenged and disabled persons located approximately two hours away from Kuala Lumpur.

This is a great opportunity to experience Parent-child bonding while delivering your contributions in kind to the underprivileged together with your loved ones. At the same time witness ourselves the way the less fortunates make their living by learning handicraft works at the centre.

The intended date is:

Sunday, 12th of October 2008 - Second Sunday of the month of October

Prepare your own transport.

Indicate how much you can donate or items you intend to donate.
If you cannot make it to join us this time and wish to donate in cash or kind, pls let me know and I can try pick up your donation/s from you or arrange to be sent to my place.

Please reply me at : swisspalma@gmail.com to indicate the most convenient date/s so that I can plan out the suitable time for all.

The address to Taman Sinar Harapan, Kuala Kubu Bahru is as follows:
TAMAN SINAR HARAPAN K.K.B.
Jalan Padang Golf, Kuala Kubu Bahru,
44000 Selangor
Phone : 03 - 60641129

Looking forward to your participation.

Thank you.

P/S: To read the full details of our visit, kindly log into here.

Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan

Received this video clip from email.

Sunshine Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan.
A nonprofit organization, Sunshine Foundation has been actively providing professional services for burn survivors and people with facial disfigurement in the hope of helping them live their lives with confidence.

Their Mission is to:
Provide an extensive range of services for burn survivors and people with facial disfigurement; to assist them in their physical, psychological and social rehabilitation; to uphold their human rights and dignity.

Please help to pass on this video clip to anyone you know to help create awareness and give support to those burn survivors.

Visit here for more information

有一則廣告因經費短缺沒辦法在電視上播放 敬請各位幫忙再代為宣傳出去，謝謝! 在有能力的時候，多施捨、多種福田 利人又利己....... 請協助 陽光基金會 曝光這個廣告 礙於陽光基金會沒有預算可以讓這部廣告在電視上曝光所以透過這樣的方式 希望一傳十 , 十傳百··· 讓更多的燒傷朋友可以被接納 也請您不吝惜幫忙陽光轉寄這部 公益廣告 讓更多的人可以有機會看見 一分鐘就可以做公益

A bereavement for an Orphan perished in fire

I missed this piece of news while away on my holiday.
Was shocked and sadden after reading the followed up news yesterday from the Star newspaper.

Ti-Ratana Welfare Society's girl dormitory caught fire in the early morning of 8th of August 2008, the day the world celebrated the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

All the girls were rushed to safety except one young seven year old Chiew Yee Ser whose life was taken away by the raging fire that started from the back portion of the two story building. She was apparently pinned to the bed by some fallen objects and people were unable to reach her in the intense heat even though they tried breaking the window panels.

The home housed 160 orphans including infants, boys and girls. The dormitory destroyed in the fire was one of the three that accommodate all the orphans. The fire also damaged part of the altar located next to the girls dormitory. The children also lost their clothes, school uniforms, books, toys and computers.

In conjunction with Ti-Ratana 11th Anniversary, a fund raising dinner was planned and to be held at Desa Water Park, Taman Danau Desa, Kuala Lumpur which falls on Saturday, 20th September, 2008.

According to Ms Christina of Ti-Ratana, the dinner price for each table of 10 persons will be sold at RM800.00. The funds raised will be partly spared for the restoration works of the destroyed buildings.

In remembrance of Chiew Yee Ser, let us meet together in this dinner to pray for her a better life at the other side of the world and also helping the residents of Ti-Ratana pull through this difficult time.

If you wish to take part in this dinner, kindly contact:

Ti-Ratana Welfare Society
Lot 16106, Jalan 13 B,

Salak South Bahru (Desa Petaling),
57100 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia [MAP]

Tel: 03-7988 1818, 7981 2121

Fax: 03-7988 1888

Email: admin@ti-ratana.org.myThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Pour unreservedly your care and moral support to those orphans who survived in this fire by attending the dinner. Your warmth and love will help them put behind that traumatic and taunting experience they went thru in the absence of their parents.